Major hazard facility: Notification, registration and licence
What it is and how to notify, register and get a licence.
How to notify, register and get a licence
You must notify WorkSafe in writing (under regulation 360):
- within 30 days of becoming aware that you are storing over 10% of the Schedule 14 threshold quantities
Intending operators of major hazard facilities (MHFs) may notify before operations commence. If it is known the facility will be over 100% threshold, operators may choose to submit an application for registration under regulation 514 directly.
Schedule 18 lists information required to be submitted with a notice to WorkSafe under either regulation 360 or 514.
If you store under 10% of the threshold quantity, then you do not need to notify WorkSafe. These threshold quantities are set out in Schedule 14 of the OHS Regulations.
Following notification, WorkSafe will determine if you are an MHF.
- If you are determined to be an MHF, then your facility will be registered with WorkSafe.
- Once registered, regulation 367 requires that you prepare and submit to WorkSafe an outline for the development of a safety case, within 90 days.
- You will have up to 30 months from the date of registration to achieve full safety compliance including a licence to operate an MHF, at least 6 months prior to registration expiry you must submit a safety case to WorkSafe for assessment.
If all of the licensing requirements for a licence to operate an MHF are met, WorkSafe will grant an MHF licence. A licence fee applies. WorkSafe will advise you of the amount.
If your application for a licence to operate an MHF is not granted, your facility will either have to:
- cease operations, or
- reduce storage of threshold quantities of Schedule 14 materials to under 100%, or if the facility was determined as an MHF to a quantity determined by WorkSafe.
For detailed information about how to notify WorkSafe about the notification and registration process for a major hazard facility see the Guidance note: Notification and registration of a major hazard facility.
Guidance note: Notification and registration of a major hazard facility
Fees
- Notification - no fee applies
- Registration - no fee applies
- Licence - fee varies. This is based on the time required to assess the safety case. As of the 2023-24 financial year, it is capped at $104,477.31.
Registration validity
Registration is valid for up to 30 months.
At least six months before the registration expires, an application for a licence must be submitted to WorkSafe. The application must include a copy of the facility’s safety case containing all the details required under Division 8 of Part 5.2 of the OHS Regulations.
Additional information
As part of the licence assessment process you may be required to provide WorkSafe with additional information as requested. WorkSafe will also usually go out to the facility to verify safety requirements stated in the safety case and to ensure compliance with the relevant parts of the OHS Regulations 2017.
If granted a licence, the licence remains valid for the length of the licence period shown on the licence. This can be up to 5 years.